A view of Australia's detention of asylum seekers and a search for an antidote to the dictum "might makes right"

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Refugees in Australia - Q & A (i) - Who are the Real Refugees?

Consider this: Refugees are people outside their country of origin fleeing a fear of persecution - regardless of the means by which they flee. They are survivors of fear, torture or persecution. They may be doctors, lawyers, teachers, journalists, artists, mothers, fathers, children: they are simply ordinary people, forced to flee their homes to escape human rights abuses. If deported home, refugees possibly face persecution, torture - or death. Refugees may have been threatened - but they are not a threat.

Iraqis and Afghans in 1999 and in 2003.97% of applicants from Iraq and 93% of applicants from Afghanistan seeking asylum without valid visas in Australia in 1999 were recognised as genuine refugees. They were provided with visas and allowed to stay in Australia. During the year 2002-2003, the recognition rate had declined to 79% for Iraqis and 77% for Afghans.

Generally, 84% of all asylum seekers arriving without proper documentation are found to be legitimate refugees and are able to stay in Australia